Would you tell me please if it is against the rules to bid against the bidder

[emtdickson]

I bid on an item - a used heater - and was the only bidder.  I lost it at the last minute and the price was £1 above mine.  The other bidder's identity was private.  I think they were hoping I was still at the computer when the auction ended, and would bid higher, because I had messaged the seller 30 minutes before the end, but had to leave the desk.  I suppose I would have bid higher had I stayed.

The same item was immediately listed again at a higher start price by the same seller.  There is a spelling mistake the same as before.  I sent a message asking if they had bid against me and relisted.  I doubt I will get a reply.

They could have withdrawn the item and that would be acceptable.  

[tobiasd4]

There is no way to prove what you say is true.

Seller would still have to pay ebay fees if they didn't sell to 1st buyer.

If you want heater, looks like you may have to pay the higher price.

[emtdickson]

I will not bid again for this seller. When I asked if they bid themselves they replied that the one that sold had no timer and that this one had. I wrote back that there was nothing in the description about a missing timer and they could have ended the listing if it was wrong. Just before the auction end I was the only bidder, despite what the bidding history was, and I was corresponding with the seller just before the end, because there was a price quoted for shipping but in the description it said ''heater can be seen working when buyer collects, which I did not understand. There was confirmation that it would be posted and they had forgotten to change the description. I was called away toward the end. Had I not been, I might have continued to bid higher and higher against the seller. I do not think that should be allowed. I looked at the other listings and there was only one heater amongst the variety. I spent hours looking at heaters. I am certainly not going to buy anything from a seller who bids against buyers to raise the price.